The points of issue
"First Edition" stated on the copyright page, with no Doubleday gutter code on the last text page; jacket priced. Blue cloth, spine lettered in silver. First Amber novel.
Is this the true first?
US Doubleday first hardcover; cornerstone of the Amber series.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions omit the "First Edition" statement, carry the gutter code on the last text page, and have a blind stamp to the rear board with an unpriced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Nine Princes in Amber a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: "First Edition" stated on the copyright page, with no Doubleday gutter code on the last text page; jacket priced. Blue cloth, spine lettered in silver. First Amber novel.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. US Doubleday first hardcover; cornerstone of the Amber series.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions omit the "First Edition" statement, carry the gutter code on the last text page, and have a blind stamp to the rear board with an unpriced jacket.
I have a first edition of Nine Princes in Amber — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.